Innocence (Sonadow)

Chapter 17

Not long after, Shadow was confidently stepping down the stairs. He had the urge to actually put a skip in his step, but knew this would be viewed as childish, so he restrained himself and walked normally instead. The others were following him close behind, watching his every move, especially Sonic.

Part of him was proud that Shadow was starting to get more confident. It made him feel that the ebony was starting to get used to this place. However, another part of him couldn't help but worry, feeling that it was just too soon. No one could recover from emotional trauma that quickly.

When they reached the bottom step, Shadow couldn't help himself and he hopped off onto the first floor, giggling to himself before he promptly stopped himself, reminding himself to act his age. And by Tails observation, he was 15 years old, the same age as Sonic, and Sonic wasn't going around skipping down the stairs or childishly giggling to himself.

Shadow cleared his throat a little before turning the corner to walk into the living room, opposite from the kitchen. When he walked through the doorway, all of his confidence suddenly seemed to just fly out the window, making him revolve back to his usual timid manner.

There they were. The 10 people that had come to see him, including the 5 he still had yet to meet.

Suddenly, this didn't seem like such a good idea.

"Well, well, well, who do we have here, handsome?" The white female bat stood up from being seated on the armrest of the chair, her hand on one hip as she smirked suggestively at the black and red hedgehog. "You must be Shadow, and my aren't you handsome. My name is Rouge. It's nice to finally meet you, hun."

Shadow's cheeked burned a fiery red as he timidly stared at the ground.

"I-It's nice to meet you too, Rouge." He whispered shyly.

So much for having confidence.

"Aw, look what you've done Rouge." The raccoon rolled her eyes. "You've gone and made the guy blush. Sonic said he has the mind of a child, so do you think you can try to keep your charms to yourself?"

"Oh hush Marine, I was only giving a compliment." Rouge rolled her eyes. "Honestly, it'd be a crime to not acknowledge his good looks."

This made Shadow blush even more.

Sonic once told him yesterday that he was gorgeous, and he enjoyed hearing it from him. But hearing someone else call him handsome and good looking… it didn't feel right. He didn't get that same warm feeling when Sonic called him his little nicknames.

It made him feel… embarrassed.

Shadow jumped a little when he felt a gentle hand laying on his shoulder. He looked up and gave a small smile, purring quietly as Sonic wrapped him in a protective side hug. He felt much safer being close to the blue hedgehog.

"Everyone, this is Shadow the Hedgehog." Sonic introduced proudly, partly glad that the ebony was acting his usual self again. "Most of you met him already, but he wanted to come down and meet the rest of directly."

"Well, isn't that brave of you, dear." The older female rabbit smiled gently as she cautiously approached the timid black and red hedgehog, being followed by her curious daughter and the blue creature. "Hello dear, it's very nice to meet you. My name is Vanilla, and this is my daughter Cream and her Chao, Cheese."

"Hello Mr. Shadow." Cream greeted cheerfully, holding the creature in her hands.

"Chao Chao!" The creature named Cheese chirped.

"Cream and Cheese?" Shadow couldn't help but giggle a little. "Like cream cheese. That's clever."

The little rabbit and her Chao beamed happily, proud to have made their shy new friend laugh. Sonic chuckled as well, finding this scene to be really adorable.

Cheese was wiggling in Cream's arms, so the little rabbit promptly let him go and the Chao flew from her arms. He flew up to Shadow and began circling him, chirping happily, trying to make the ebony smile again.

Unfortunately, however, the hedgehog was not expecting the Chao to approach him so quickly, and it scared him. He squeaked loudly and fell back out of Sonic's hug, landing on his tail onto the floor. It hurt real bad.

"Ow!" He whimpered, sniffing as tears rolled down his eyes in pain, not even acknowledging that he wet himself again.

"Shadow!" Sonic gasped as he quickly knelt down to him.

"Cheese, down!" Cream ordered the Chao.

"Chao Chao." The little creature whimpered guilty as he flew back into the rabbit's arms, he didn't mean to scare him.

"Shadow, are you alright?" Sonic whispered gently to crying hedgehog.

"My tail," He whimpered. "It hurts."

"Sshhh, it's going to be ok." Sonic whispered soothingly, brushing Shadow's quills back, trying to calm him down. He then began to gently pick him up, holding him close to his chest. "Let's get you cleaned up and then we'll have Tails take a look, ok?"

"Ok." Shadow sobbed, nuzzling his weeping face into Sonic's chest.

"I'll set up in the workshop." Tails quickly informed, racing away to the back of the house.

"I'll get a mop to clean up the mess." Knuckles offered.

"Thanks," Sonic nodded. "Amy can you come with me? I don't want to accidentally hurt him."

"I think you'll be fine, Sonic, I think it's best if everybody leaves now." Amy suggested.

"Yes, I agree." Vanilla nodded. "The poor dear has been through enough."

"Very well then, I can handle this on my own." Sonic nodded with a sigh, bouncing the crying hedgehog in his arms a bit as he turned to go upstairs to the bathroom. "Come on Shadow, let's get you cleaned up."

Poor Shadow only continued to sob in pain and shame.

So much for acting his age.